“Great job for the Armed Forces, Army, Air Force, National Guard. It doesn’t mean those guys in the top 10 are going to win every race. They’re not going to be top 10 in every race. There are not 10 teams here. There are 43 teams out there and they’re all racing. It’s good the Chase for the Cup teams are going to get extra press, but we have great race teams through the field.

“I hate this tire. I’d love to go back to next year’s Goodyear tire. I was actually sponsored by Goodyear in the off-road days with Walker Evans. They’ve been my sponsor and I’ve tested for them. I love Goodyear. I just hate the tire we’ve got now. It reminds me of the tire we had in 2000 and 2001. I went into turn two and I was headed toward the wall. Some guys get a better handle on it. We’re a team that’s still trying to get a handle on it. You’ve just got to drive it.

“This is just what the doctor ordered. It’s two straight top 10s. We were the top finishing Dodge in the Penske Organization, and we’re supposed to be a top Dodge program. To come up there and represent Kodak in the top 10 two races in a row, you’d better watch out. We might do something right before the season is out.

“I’m hoping the guys don’t stop writing about us. The Kodak guys love the press we’ve been getting. The team has a lot of confidence now, and so do I. Inside the doors of the Penske/Jasper shop we know what’s going on, and no matter what anyone says, most people won’t print it if it’s not the story they want to go with. This team can do it. If we finish the next six in the top 10 that would be a great way to finish up the rookie season.”